STARSPACE46 ACCEPTED INTO NATIONAL TECHHIRE INITIATIVE

OKLAHOMA CITY (December 1st, 2016) - StarSpace46 has been announced as one of 20 TechHire communities dedicated to creating pathways for more Americans to access well-paying tech jobs and expanding local tech sectors in communities across the country. StarSpace46 will be joining a national network of 71 TechHire communities in receiving support to spearhead efforts to help overlooked and underrepresented Americans start technology careers.

“We are very pleased to welcome StarSpace46 to the TechHire Initiative,” said Tess Posner, Managing Director of TechHire at Opportunity@Work, StarSpace46has demonstrated a true commitment to making opportunities in tech more inclusive in your community, and we at Opportunity@Work look forward to working with you to help implement, grow, and amplify your efforts.”

Oklahoma City’s designation as a TechHire Community was only made possible due to the efforts of StarSpace46, the Techlahoma Foundation, and Creative Oklahoma and with thanks to OU - CCEW / OK Coders Program, Greater OKC Chamber of Commerce, OKC Mayor’s Office, i2E, OK Business Roundtable, and OKC Traffic and Transportation Commission. All TechHire communities go through an intensive and competitive application process to demonstrate their level of commitment and readiness in expanding the technology sector. This TechHire designation shows that StarSpace46 has the partners, employers, training providers, and the civil leadership support needed to implement and scale tech job opportunities for everyone.

The other 19 communities that will join the National TechHire Initiative in today’s announcement include:

TechHire, an initiative powered by Opportunity@Work, is a nationwide, community-based movement that helps underrepresented job seekers start careers in the technology industry. TechHire partners with education providers from across the tech community to teach in-demand skills to people who want to take part in the modern economy—from overlooked youth, to veterans, to the long-term unemployed; and helps them find jobs by connecting them to a network of employers looking for tech talent. To learn more, visit www.techhire.org.

ABOUT OPPORTUNITY@WORK

Opportunity@Work is a nonprofit social enterprise with a mission to expand access to career opportunities so that all Americans can work, learn, and earn to their full potential in a dynamic economy. By 2025, Opportunity@Work will empower over 1 million Americans, creating $20 billion+ per year of additional earnings for Americans across the country. Opportunity@Work expands access to career opportunities for all by building partnerships with employers, community organizations, civic leadership and job seekers to transform hiring practices, expand learning pathways, and pioneer talent financing. To learn more, visit www.opportunityatwork.org.

ABOUT STARSPACE46 and TECHLAHOMA

In addition to being the largest coworking facility in Oklahoma City serving the technology and entrepreneurship communities, StarSpace46 serves as the home of Techlahoma user group meetups which host 400-500 technologists monthly. These user groups offer free STEM based education and professional development for Oklahomans. Techlahoma is a rapidly growing nonprofit whose mission is to advance the grassroots technology community in Oklahoma.